Wedding is the one in a lifetime event. Every moment of this day holds a very dear memory to us. Thus, we all want to capture everything that happens during our big day so we will always have something to look back, to talk and to remember one of the happiest, joyfulness, and most memorable moment of our life.
I, besides asking our photographer to take as many pictures of our day as possible, also made a list of all the scenes I wanted to keep and gave it to him before the event. At the end, he got about 80% of this list. I know it was a long list and I certainly did not expect him to remember all. Also, the weather on my wedding day was rather cold, and there was shower now and then so I did not have a heart to pose outdoor. Otherwise, I think I would would have some carefree, beautiful motion shots outdoor.
Anyway, from my experience, I think it's best that if you also have a photos list like I did, besides going through it with your photographer, (even show a sample picture if necessary) you should ask a family member or friend for help keeping track of this list too. This person is going to keep an eye on this list, kind of following the photographer the whole time to make sure he gets all the important moment in your list.
Here it is, my list: (I wanted color, black & white, portrait, and "motion" shots as well)
1. Behind-the scene shots at home, when the bride, groom & all the wedding party are getting ready with hair, make up, etc… and helping the bride with the dress and gown. (same with the groom and groomsmen)
2. Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
3. Only the bride and: hand with engagement ring, bouquet, half and full body, from behind, checking herself out in the mirror, etc… and the groom is putting on the bow…
4. Formal shots with parents, sisters, family, bridesmaids, groommen, etc…
5. Groom and Bride, and everyone else are ready to go to the church
6. Candid shots of bride and groom, family, friends, guests before the ceremony, while waiting in front of the church
7. Family, wedding party walking down the aisle
8. Shots in-front and from behind the couple as walking down the aisle and during the ceremony
9. Wide shot of audience during ceremony
10. Moms and Dads and guests watching the ceremony.
11. Close-up shots of couple’s hands, esp. when reciting vows and exchange rings
12. Faces of couple when exchanging vows
13. The Kiss
14. Give bouquets to Moms
15. Couple proceeding up the aisle, guests’ smiling faces at their sides
16. Exiting the church with rose petal/bubble in the air…
17. Runaway bride, groom, and wedding party in a carefree attitude, toward and away from the camera
18. Only couple, hand in hand, walks off together, moving away from the camera toward a visually “limiless” background with lots of sky. (include turn around a little bit and then turn back, … )
19. Shots of couple getting to the car, drive away,…
20. Behind the scene shots of family and friends helping decorating the reception
21. The reception details: wide shot of the banquet room and close up shots of guest book, cake, glasses, knife and server, invitation and stationary, centerpiece, napkin and menu cards, etc…
22. Guests signing guest book, finding their escort envelope, …
23. Couple going toward the stage, with their sweetheart table, cake cutting, toasting, etc …
24. Buffet area and food
25. Bride and Groom dancing, wedding party dancing, kids playing, throwing bouquet, garter, …
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My $3 wedding shoes
I bought this one at Burlington, $6 for two identical pairs, black and white. It was exactly what I was looking to wear on my wedding! :-)
When it came to choose a wedding shoes, I knew what I wanted: a white, flat, soft material, ballet-like shoes. I wore this the whole wedding, from the ceremony at church, to the reception, and the dance floor. I moved so comfortably into this slipper. Love it! Not to mention it was such a great deal, too! :-)
I highly recommend wearing flat on your wedding if you'd wear long dress and do not need to "improve" your height.
Monday, October 27, 2008
"Sexy back" by Justin Timberlake
(http://www.yeuamnhac.com)
So, what do you think about this song? Sexy, huh? :-)
Should I knew it before our event in San Jose in November 2006, this would be the song that I'd love to play at my wedding reception when the bride and groom first entered the room to start the dinner.
Instead, I first heard of this song a few weeks later, in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in December 2006. I loved it and thought of playing it for our wedding reception in Saigon a month after that. However, I soon had to forget that intention since I didn't know if it'd be too much for our guests (most of them were older generation.) Through the internet, I knew in Vietnam, nowadays, there were many couples who had done many fresh, new, non-traditional ideas to make their weddings as unique as possible.
Still, I do not live there so I'm not sure what was the limit of everything. Thus, I chose to play it safe, by going along with the tradition.
Wish I knew this song before November 2006 ...
Lyrics:
xxxyBack
(feat. Timbaland)
I'm bringin' xxxy back (Yeah)
Them other boys don't know how to act!(Yeah)
I think it's special what's behind your back.(Yeah)
So turn around and I'll pick up the slack!(Yeah)
(Take em' to the bridge!)
Dirty babe...(Uh Huh)
You see these shackles? Baby I'm your slave(Uh Huh)
I'll let you whip me if I misbehave!(Uh Huh)
It's just that no one makes me feel this way(Uh Huh)
(Take em' to the chorus!)
Come here girl!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Come to the back
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
VIP!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Drinks on me
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Let me see what ya tworkin' with
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Look at those hips!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
You make me smile
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Go head child!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Get your xxxy on
(Go 'head be gone with it!) (8x)
I'm bringin' xxxy back (Yeah)
Them mother****ers dont' know how to act! (Yeah)
Girl let me make up for the things you lack. (Yeah)
'Cause you're burnin' up I gotta get it past! (Yeah)
(Take em' to the bridge!)
Dirty babe...(Uh Huh)
You see these shackles? Baby i'm your slave (Uh Huh)
I'll let you whip me if I misbehave!(Uh Huh)
It's just that no one makes me feel this way(Uh Huh)
(Take em' to the chorus!)
Come here girl!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Come to the back
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
VIP!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Drinks on me
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Let me see what ya tworkin' with
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Look at those hips!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
You make me smile
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Go head child!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Get your xxxy on
(Go 'head be gone with it!)(x8)
You ready?
You ready?
You ready?
Uh (Yes)
I'm bringin' xxxy back(Yeah)
You motha****ers watch how I attack(Yeah)
If that's your girl, better watch your back(Yeah)
'Cause she'll burn it up for me, and that's a fact(Yeah)
(Take em' to the chorus!)
Come here girl!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Come to the back
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
VIP!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Drinks on me
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Let me see what ya tworkin' with
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Look at those hips!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
You make me smile
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Go head child!
(Go 'head be gone with it!)
Get your xxxy on
(Go 'head be gone with it!) (8x)
You ready? (Yes)
You ready? (Yes)
(Yes)
You ready? (Yes)
You ready?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Your Honeymoon: Cost-Cutting Advice
Want to live large without the big bills? Your honeymoon should be a blissfully relaxing antidote to all the wedding planning mania, and it shouldn't have to break the budget. Here are some clever ways to save without settling for less.
-Airfare to your destination may be significantly cheaper if you travel to a less congested, smaller airport farther away from the city. For example, flights to Miami International are generally more expensive than those to neighboring Fort Lauderdale.
-Use an online consolidator, such as hoteldiscounts.com or hotels.com, to find reduced room rates. Or, bid on your travel needs at hotwire.com, priceline.com or ebay.com/travel. The site's new "seller verify" system guarantees that only legitimate travel vendors put vacation packages on the auction block.
-Book a guest room in an inexpensive, no-frills hotel, then pay a nominal non-guest fee (usually about $25)at a resort to use the swimming pool, spa and fitness center.
-If you need to call locally to make restaurant or theater reservations, ask the hotel concierge to do it for you. You'll save yourselves those expensive hotel surcharges for outgoing calls, which can add up quickly.
-Consider staying somewhere with a full kitchen. You can save money by preparing some of your own meals-especially breakfast, which can be expensive to eat out. Instead of dropping big bucks on the hotel's $30 breakfaast buffet, pick up some local treats, such as bagels if you're in New York City, baguettes in Paris or sourdough bread in San Francisco, toast them in your room and eat them with some locally gorwn fruit that you can pick up at the neighborhood market.
-if you're going to be traveling around a city by bus or subway, look into special all-day ore weekend transit passes. In New York City, for example, a one-day Fun Pass offers unlimited bus and train trips for $7, while a signle ride costs $2.
-Before you go, request a packet of travel information from your destination's tourism board. You'll receive suggestions for walking tours, coupons, calendars and, best of all, free maps.
-When you arrive at your destination, pick up a free newspaper and check the listings for free events. For example, many museums waive admission once a week. Or, perhaps there's a night when the galleries are open late; often, a museum serves cocktails and hosts live music, and it's a wonderful, inexpensive evening.
-Set up a registry for your honeymoon at honeyluna.com, globalphilosophytravel.com or the thehoneymoon.com. Once you've planned your vacation, friends and family can purchase meals and activities, such as spa treatments, hiking excursions and Jet Ski rentals, as wedding gifts. The sites provide registry cards that can be tucked into shower invitations and, best of all, you can enjoy your adventures without guilt.
(From Bridal Guide magazine:
http://www.bridalguide.com/honeymoon-travel/article.cfm?aID=1022)
-Airfare to your destination may be significantly cheaper if you travel to a less congested, smaller airport farther away from the city. For example, flights to Miami International are generally more expensive than those to neighboring Fort Lauderdale.
-Use an online consolidator, such as hoteldiscounts.com or hotels.com, to find reduced room rates. Or, bid on your travel needs at hotwire.com, priceline.com or ebay.com/travel. The site's new "seller verify" system guarantees that only legitimate travel vendors put vacation packages on the auction block.
-Book a guest room in an inexpensive, no-frills hotel, then pay a nominal non-guest fee (usually about $25)at a resort to use the swimming pool, spa and fitness center.
-If you need to call locally to make restaurant or theater reservations, ask the hotel concierge to do it for you. You'll save yourselves those expensive hotel surcharges for outgoing calls, which can add up quickly.
-Consider staying somewhere with a full kitchen. You can save money by preparing some of your own meals-especially breakfast, which can be expensive to eat out. Instead of dropping big bucks on the hotel's $30 breakfaast buffet, pick up some local treats, such as bagels if you're in New York City, baguettes in Paris or sourdough bread in San Francisco, toast them in your room and eat them with some locally gorwn fruit that you can pick up at the neighborhood market.
-if you're going to be traveling around a city by bus or subway, look into special all-day ore weekend transit passes. In New York City, for example, a one-day Fun Pass offers unlimited bus and train trips for $7, while a signle ride costs $2.
-Before you go, request a packet of travel information from your destination's tourism board. You'll receive suggestions for walking tours, coupons, calendars and, best of all, free maps.
-When you arrive at your destination, pick up a free newspaper and check the listings for free events. For example, many museums waive admission once a week. Or, perhaps there's a night when the galleries are open late; often, a museum serves cocktails and hosts live music, and it's a wonderful, inexpensive evening.
-Set up a registry for your honeymoon at honeyluna.com, globalphilosophytravel.com or the thehoneymoon.com. Once you've planned your vacation, friends and family can purchase meals and activities, such as spa treatments, hiking excursions and Jet Ski rentals, as wedding gifts. The sites provide registry cards that can be tucked into shower invitations and, best of all, you can enjoy your adventures without guilt.
(From Bridal Guide magazine:
http://www.bridalguide.com/honeymoon-travel/article.cfm?aID=1022)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
How did I personalized my wedding reception?
When planning my own wedding in 2006, there were lots of ideas I wanted to do for my wedding. But I only had 2 wedding receptions and most of these ideas I couldn't do for the one in Vietnam, one reason was because I didn't have much time in Vietnam to plan and do it. Therefore, I tried to stuff so many things into our reception in the US, but everything had its limit. Hence, I still have many ideas I do want to do so I hope I may be able to do them for my sisters' weddings later.
Here are list of what I did in a hope to make our wedding has lots of fun and memorable to our family and guests as much as possible.
-I chose a Fall theme for our November wedding in the US. I used only white and orange color for all our decorations, from the invitation, flowers, to cake, backdrop, etc. The logo for this reception was a Maple Leaf.
-As for the one in Vietnam, which was taken place in January 2007, I had white and red as the color scheme and the Dendrobrium orchids as our logo for it.
-Every guest arrived at our wedding reception here in the US would receive a wedding newsletter. Guests could spend some time before the dinner to learn about our love stories, quick introduction about our families, our wedding party, our things (like movie, music, ...) and explanation of why I used this and that for our wedding.
-Our tables were named after the places we have been and traveled together in Vietnam, United States, and Canada. Under each name, I had included a love quote (for the US reception) and the words "I love you" in different language (for the one in Vietnam).
-I had my sister's fishes and Hershey's Kisses chocolate for our centerpieces.
-Over a hundred of persimmons from our garden were used as the table cards for our guests. Its bright orange color was also our color scheme. After the party, I didn't find any one was left behind.
-I chose all the songs for our Catholic wedding ceremony. I typed, chose the layout style, images, and printed our wedding program. It included the names, readings, lyrics, and our thankful message to our parents. I also inserted quotes and lovely images now and then through out this booklet. I love what I did! :D
-I did the same for our menu cards. I typed and designed it to my like, then I printed it on the autumn designed card stock paper that I purchased at a Kinko/FedEx copy center. It cost me less than $20 to have about 120 menu cards for our reception in the US, can't find any deal better than this.
-Our thank you message was printed on a Maple Leave shape card, which I personally think it's fresh and nice. I also had the reading/poem "What is Love" on this card.
-At each dinner setting, besides the menu card that was wrapped into a white towel, our guests were also greeted by a white dedrobrium (our flower).
-I typed and printed all the table cards on a regular A4 paper and displayed them into a mini silver metal frames.
-Silk maple leaves were scattered here and there around our reception area.
-Our guests wrote their congratulations on the "Share a Wish" card, which we collected after the party for our keepsakes.
Here are list of what I did in a hope to make our wedding has lots of fun and memorable to our family and guests as much as possible.
-I chose a Fall theme for our November wedding in the US. I used only white and orange color for all our decorations, from the invitation, flowers, to cake, backdrop, etc. The logo for this reception was a Maple Leaf.
-As for the one in Vietnam, which was taken place in January 2007, I had white and red as the color scheme and the Dendrobrium orchids as our logo for it.
-Every guest arrived at our wedding reception here in the US would receive a wedding newsletter. Guests could spend some time before the dinner to learn about our love stories, quick introduction about our families, our wedding party, our things (like movie, music, ...) and explanation of why I used this and that for our wedding.
-Our tables were named after the places we have been and traveled together in Vietnam, United States, and Canada. Under each name, I had included a love quote (for the US reception) and the words "I love you" in different language (for the one in Vietnam).
-I had my sister's fishes and Hershey's Kisses chocolate for our centerpieces.
-Over a hundred of persimmons from our garden were used as the table cards for our guests. Its bright orange color was also our color scheme. After the party, I didn't find any one was left behind.
-I chose all the songs for our Catholic wedding ceremony. I typed, chose the layout style, images, and printed our wedding program. It included the names, readings, lyrics, and our thankful message to our parents. I also inserted quotes and lovely images now and then through out this booklet. I love what I did! :D
-I did the same for our menu cards. I typed and designed it to my like, then I printed it on the autumn designed card stock paper that I purchased at a Kinko/FedEx copy center. It cost me less than $20 to have about 120 menu cards for our reception in the US, can't find any deal better than this.
-Our thank you message was printed on a Maple Leave shape card, which I personally think it's fresh and nice. I also had the reading/poem "What is Love" on this card.
-At each dinner setting, besides the menu card that was wrapped into a white towel, our guests were also greeted by a white dedrobrium (our flower).
-I typed and printed all the table cards on a regular A4 paper and displayed them into a mini silver metal frames.
-Silk maple leaves were scattered here and there around our reception area.
-Our guests wrote their congratulations on the "Share a Wish" card, which we collected after the party for our keepsakes.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wedding cake and flowers for wedding in Vietnam
Wedding cake: The cost of a wedding cake or flowers in Vietnam is not too expensive. Since in our wedding in Saigon, the wedding cake was included in the catering/reception package, I didn't have chance to shop for it. However, for about $100USD, you would have a beautiful wedding cake. (if I find more information about this, I'll update later; or if you know the price detail of a wedding cake in Vietnam, please do share.)
Bridal bouquet: If you have your wedding in Vietnam, you will find the price of flowers there is very affordable. I think it is because the labor there is cheaper than it is here in the US. An elegant, beautiful, professionally made bridal bouquet costs around $30-$50USD. It could be cheaper if you order your bouquet at a small shop. For just about $15-$20USD, you can have a fine bouquet. Bridesmaid's bouquet, of course, will be a little bit cheaper.
Flower for the ceremony: In Vietnam, the most common ceremony places are at the bride/groom's home, at a church or a temple. Most of the time, the church or the temple will take care of the flower for the wedding. For the wedding ceremony that takes place at home, typically you will need to have a "flower gate" (the main entrance will be decorate with lots of flower), and some small vases of flowers to decorate around the house. The cost for hiring someone providing and decorating the "flower gate" will be around $100-$150USD with real flowers (silk flowers cost half or one third less than the real one.)
Flower for the reception: Usually, you will not need to shop for the centerpiece or any other flowers decorated at the reception site because these will normally be included in the place rental/food catering package. Unless you have specific require for type of flowers or design and the place can not do it, then may be you will have to step in.
Bridal bouquet: If you have your wedding in Vietnam, you will find the price of flowers there is very affordable. I think it is because the labor there is cheaper than it is here in the US. An elegant, beautiful, professionally made bridal bouquet costs around $30-$50USD. It could be cheaper if you order your bouquet at a small shop. For just about $15-$20USD, you can have a fine bouquet. Bridesmaid's bouquet, of course, will be a little bit cheaper.
Flower for the ceremony: In Vietnam, the most common ceremony places are at the bride/groom's home, at a church or a temple. Most of the time, the church or the temple will take care of the flower for the wedding. For the wedding ceremony that takes place at home, typically you will need to have a "flower gate" (the main entrance will be decorate with lots of flower), and some small vases of flowers to decorate around the house. The cost for hiring someone providing and decorating the "flower gate" will be around $100-$150USD with real flowers (silk flowers cost half or one third less than the real one.)
Flower for the reception: Usually, you will not need to shop for the centerpiece or any other flowers decorated at the reception site because these will normally be included in the place rental/food catering package. Unless you have specific require for type of flowers or design and the place can not do it, then may be you will have to step in.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ideas I considered for my wedding
When planning my own wedding, I'd searched for ideas to make my wedding as special as possible. For most of Vietnamese weddings I've attended, there were not much personalization in the event. All the weddings were similar to each other. I wanted my wedding different from those. And so I had used some of these ideas for my wedding in the US.
-Make your wedding program more substantial, more of a booklet and keepsake. Include messages to each of the guests (one liners or two) and explanations of why you chose your flowers, readings, colors, music, etc. If your wedding is held in a unique place, give some information about it too and why you chose it.
-An idea for the wedding programs is to describe the meaning of some of the songs used during your wedding and or reception; it could be for a sentimental reason (like the song on your first date). Or a song could have been a way to just describe any thing done by the both of you (maybe the both of you were in the Navy together and you are playing Anchors Aweigh). It gives a more personal feel to the reception and a lot of people don't understand the meaning behind so many traditions or your personal meaning or reason for doing it.
-Have you ever thought of creating a "Wedding Newsletter" to have someone pass out at the reception. It could have info on how the both of you met, a few paragraphs of both parents and grandparents (if not alive a little tribute to them) wedding party backgrounds, honeymoon details (not too detailed though), where you plan to live, wedding trivia, etc and more importantly a "Thank You" for all who have attended.
-Have guests send the reply card with a favorite love/romantic quote.
-Make sure to carry powder with you. Many people have complained that when they got their wedding pictures back, there faces were shiny. So, carry some pressed powder with you for those picture perfect moments. Also for eyes, a good pick me up is white eyeliner on the bottom rim of your eye, it's an old model's trick that opens the eyes up more. Purse.
-Place various photos on the cake table, such as your parents wedding photo, your grandparents' wedding photo, and a picture of you as a little girl and a picture of your spouse to be a little boy all in nice frames. It's a nice touch, and added interest and sense of history and family tradition.
-During your wedding ceremony, you will have many guests of varying religions in attendance. Before the ceremony begins, have your ushers hand out your wedding programs wherein it describes each of your religious wedding customs. That way, your guests can understand and fully appreciate the significance of the day's events.
-If you are having a fall/Autumn wedding a different idea for a wedding favor for your guest is to present each guest a dried fall leaf in a picture frame, with your names and wedding date written on the leaf. What better way to capture the essence of the season?
-At the end of the reception/church and prior to you leaving for your honeymoon, have 4-6 large wicker baskets filled with fresh rose petals in shades of red/pink or whatever color you choose and have the baskets accessible to your guests. Everyone can take handfuls and shower the both of you upon leaving the reception. It will make your departing pictures extremely colorful.....absolutely beautiful as the both of you run to your car with the colorful rose petals falling upon you.....
-You can also select someone to be in charge of the guest book and gifts at the wedding and reception. Have them scotch tape all cards onto the gift immediately!
-Wishes Galore: When you send out your invitations to your guest also send a blank card where your guest are also invited to fill out, add their names and make a wish for you and your fiancé. They then can bring that card with them to the wedding and at the reception they can drop it into a "Jar of Wishes".
-Make sure you're prepared for emergencies on your wedding day; take along a purse or bag containing items such as Band-Aids, clear nail polish, needle and thread, aspirin, an extra pair of hose, and other things that might come in helpful in a pinch. Give them to a bridesmaid to hold for you.
-When you address your wedding invitations, try to avoid using "and guest" when you can. If you don't know the name of the person coming with your invited guest, then call the person who will be receiving the invitation and ask what name should be used on the invitation. If you can't find out, go ahead and use 'guest.' The personalization and thoughtfulness of finding the name will make your invitation extra special.
-Here is a sweet idea for all of your guest tables, scatter Hershey Kisses and hugs around the table.
-Let's see who really wants to see you kiss at the reception. Have it announced by either the MC, DJ or band leader that the only way everyone will see the Bride & Groom kiss is to either sing 1 verse of a "love serenade".. or recite a poem with love in it. It's a different twist that will bring both humor and maybe tears of joy but also a kiss from Bride to Groom.
(I'd collected these ideas through many different sources, magazines, internet, ... so I don't remember where these ideas came from, not that I don't want to cite the sources...)
-Make your wedding program more substantial, more of a booklet and keepsake. Include messages to each of the guests (one liners or two) and explanations of why you chose your flowers, readings, colors, music, etc. If your wedding is held in a unique place, give some information about it too and why you chose it.
-An idea for the wedding programs is to describe the meaning of some of the songs used during your wedding and or reception; it could be for a sentimental reason (like the song on your first date). Or a song could have been a way to just describe any thing done by the both of you (maybe the both of you were in the Navy together and you are playing Anchors Aweigh). It gives a more personal feel to the reception and a lot of people don't understand the meaning behind so many traditions or your personal meaning or reason for doing it.
-Have you ever thought of creating a "Wedding Newsletter" to have someone pass out at the reception. It could have info on how the both of you met, a few paragraphs of both parents and grandparents (if not alive a little tribute to them) wedding party backgrounds, honeymoon details (not too detailed though), where you plan to live, wedding trivia, etc and more importantly a "Thank You" for all who have attended.
-Have guests send the reply card with a favorite love/romantic quote.
-Make sure to carry powder with you. Many people have complained that when they got their wedding pictures back, there faces were shiny. So, carry some pressed powder with you for those picture perfect moments. Also for eyes, a good pick me up is white eyeliner on the bottom rim of your eye, it's an old model's trick that opens the eyes up more. Purse.
-Place various photos on the cake table, such as your parents wedding photo, your grandparents' wedding photo, and a picture of you as a little girl and a picture of your spouse to be a little boy all in nice frames. It's a nice touch, and added interest and sense of history and family tradition.
-During your wedding ceremony, you will have many guests of varying religions in attendance. Before the ceremony begins, have your ushers hand out your wedding programs wherein it describes each of your religious wedding customs. That way, your guests can understand and fully appreciate the significance of the day's events.
-If you are having a fall/Autumn wedding a different idea for a wedding favor for your guest is to present each guest a dried fall leaf in a picture frame, with your names and wedding date written on the leaf. What better way to capture the essence of the season?
-At the end of the reception/church and prior to you leaving for your honeymoon, have 4-6 large wicker baskets filled with fresh rose petals in shades of red/pink or whatever color you choose and have the baskets accessible to your guests. Everyone can take handfuls and shower the both of you upon leaving the reception. It will make your departing pictures extremely colorful.....absolutely beautiful as the both of you run to your car with the colorful rose petals falling upon you.....
-You can also select someone to be in charge of the guest book and gifts at the wedding and reception. Have them scotch tape all cards onto the gift immediately!
-Wishes Galore: When you send out your invitations to your guest also send a blank card where your guest are also invited to fill out, add their names and make a wish for you and your fiancé. They then can bring that card with them to the wedding and at the reception they can drop it into a "Jar of Wishes".
-Make sure you're prepared for emergencies on your wedding day; take along a purse or bag containing items such as Band-Aids, clear nail polish, needle and thread, aspirin, an extra pair of hose, and other things that might come in helpful in a pinch. Give them to a bridesmaid to hold for you.
-When you address your wedding invitations, try to avoid using "and guest" when you can. If you don't know the name of the person coming with your invited guest, then call the person who will be receiving the invitation and ask what name should be used on the invitation. If you can't find out, go ahead and use 'guest.' The personalization and thoughtfulness of finding the name will make your invitation extra special.
-Here is a sweet idea for all of your guest tables, scatter Hershey Kisses and hugs around the table.
-Let's see who really wants to see you kiss at the reception. Have it announced by either the MC, DJ or band leader that the only way everyone will see the Bride & Groom kiss is to either sing 1 verse of a "love serenade".. or recite a poem with love in it. It's a different twist that will bring both humor and maybe tears of joy but also a kiss from Bride to Groom.
(I'd collected these ideas through many different sources, magazines, internet, ... so I don't remember where these ideas came from, not that I don't want to cite the sources...)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Recommendations for Wedding dress
-Make three visits to the bridal salon; that gives you enough time to reflect on what you like and what looks best on you without becoming overwhelming.
-I love to see a bride in a long gown. You have the rest of your life to wear a cocktail dress, but only one wedding day. This is probably your one chance to wear a veil, so give it some consideration (but don't feel you must).
-Find someone in your area who specialize in the care of wedding gowns-not a run-of-the-mill dry cleaner. Your dress needs to be treated and specially packed to prevent stains and discoloration and to be properly preserved.
by Texas designer Lela Rose
-I love to see a bride in a long gown. You have the rest of your life to wear a cocktail dress, but only one wedding day. This is probably your one chance to wear a veil, so give it some consideration (but don't feel you must).
-Find someone in your area who specialize in the care of wedding gowns-not a run-of-the-mill dry cleaner. Your dress needs to be treated and specially packed to prevent stains and discoloration and to be properly preserved.
by Texas designer Lela Rose
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Custom made wedding gown/dress in Vietnam for abour $250
When it came to choosing a wedding dress for myself, I overwhelmed with so many choices. One was not enough, I wanted to wear more than one dress at my wedding. Especially when I'd always loved wearing long white dress, so this was probably the only chance I can wear it. There were so many styles I loved to wear them all for my wedding.
At first, I thought of buying one or two gowns here in the US, then I'd rent one or two more. I'd shopped on many websites and an affordable wedding dress typically was sold around $400-$700. That was fine, I could afford buying one; still I was searching for other options that would be more affordable so I can have more than one dress on my day.
About 4 months before the wedding, my then fiance and I went to Vietnam to plan for our wedding in Vietnam (we had two weddings, one in San Jose, CA and one two months later in Saigon since the groom's family is living there.) There I found out that the prices of renting, buying, and tailoring a wedding gown were about the same; the price for tailoring was even cheapest. A friend there recommended a tailor who made her wedding gown. I had ordered a long white gown to wear at my ceremony at the church. I showed the tailor all the pictures of the dresses I liked, pointed out which detail on each dress that I'd love to have on my own one. Based on my look, she also suggested some other ideas that would suite me better. Then she sketched a gown for me, combining all my likes and her suggestions.
On the day when I came back to try on the gown, I absolutely loved it. I chose a long, very long veil with pearl detail to go with it. In total, I paid around $250 USD for this gown, veil and gloves (including labor cost and all material). Not bad, so I had ordered another dress there. Later, I had two more dresses tailored in Saigon, each cost just around $200. Therefore, I had four wedding dresses (three white and one red) and an Ao Dai for my weddings.
If I had more time in Saigon, I might ended up having a few more dresses and wouldn't have enough time to change them all at my wedding ... :-)
Now still, I love wearing wedding dress ...
Here are some pictures of styles I love.
At first, I thought of buying one or two gowns here in the US, then I'd rent one or two more. I'd shopped on many websites and an affordable wedding dress typically was sold around $400-$700. That was fine, I could afford buying one; still I was searching for other options that would be more affordable so I can have more than one dress on my day.
About 4 months before the wedding, my then fiance and I went to Vietnam to plan for our wedding in Vietnam (we had two weddings, one in San Jose, CA and one two months later in Saigon since the groom's family is living there.) There I found out that the prices of renting, buying, and tailoring a wedding gown were about the same; the price for tailoring was even cheapest. A friend there recommended a tailor who made her wedding gown. I had ordered a long white gown to wear at my ceremony at the church. I showed the tailor all the pictures of the dresses I liked, pointed out which detail on each dress that I'd love to have on my own one. Based on my look, she also suggested some other ideas that would suite me better. Then she sketched a gown for me, combining all my likes and her suggestions.
On the day when I came back to try on the gown, I absolutely loved it. I chose a long, very long veil with pearl detail to go with it. In total, I paid around $250 USD for this gown, veil and gloves (including labor cost and all material). Not bad, so I had ordered another dress there. Later, I had two more dresses tailored in Saigon, each cost just around $200. Therefore, I had four wedding dresses (three white and one red) and an Ao Dai for my weddings.
If I had more time in Saigon, I might ended up having a few more dresses and wouldn't have enough time to change them all at my wedding ... :-)
Now still, I love wearing wedding dress ...
Here are some pictures of styles I love.
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